Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with fans after their 23-22 with 3 seconds left in the game over the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center Nov. 18, 2018 in Carson, Calif.

At a time when it’s not easy being orange, with John Elway under siege as a proud NFL franchise wonders where the good times went, linebacker Von Miller blew everyone in Broncos Country a much-needed kiss.

“I want to be a Bronco for life. Forever,” Miller declared Thursday, while chatting under sunny Florida skies with my colleague Ryan O’Halloran at the conclusion of practice for the Pro Bowl.

Those are words everyone from new Denver coach Vic Fangio to fans in the South Stands desperately needed to hear.

For better or worse, the Broncos have eschewed the idea of tearing down what’s left of the Super Bowl 50 champions for a lengthy rebuild. Patience might be a virtue, but it’s not in the nature of director of football operations John Elway.

As a front-office executive, Elway displays the same relentlessly aggressive nature that made him a Hall of Fame quarterback. No matter the odds, Elway believes he can mount a comeback and make a miracle happen in two minutes … or less.

In this particular case, I think Elway is nuts. It seems improbable the Broncos can be a playoff team in 2019, with either journeyman Case Keenum or a raw rookie at quarterback. But I also gladly admit Elway has pulled off fantastic football feats, from “The Drive” in Cleveland to “The Helicopter” at Super Bowl XXXII, that I didn’t think were humanly possible.

I am 100 percent certain, however, about one thing: A quick return to championship contention absolutely cannot happen without buy-in from the Vonster. The first logical step in a slow, steady rebuild would be to trade him, restocking the depth chart with, accepting draft picks as consolation prizes in return for saying goodbye to Miller.

But there’s a sense of urgency that borders on frenzy at Broncos headquarters.

Fangio didn’t wait until age 60 to land his first head coaching gig, then do a slow burn on the sideline while enduring losses in the name of player development.

Elway, who hears louder howls of criticism than at any time since he rolled into this dusty old cowtown as a rookie in 1983, has three seasons remaining on his contract as the team’s football architect.

The ugly family tiff over future ownership, which seems to bring new legal action or some juvenile internet prank by Johnny Bowlen nearly every week, raises legit concerns about how long Mr. B’s legacy can be dragged through the mud before his legacy of excellence is too sullied to be salvaged.

Catch my drift?

Now more than ever, Miller is not only the face of the Broncos, but the team’s best reason for hope. With his 30th birthday around the corner in March, Miller understands the prime of a Hall of Fame career can’t afford many more wasted years if he wants another championship ring.

So it’s good to hear Miller reaffirm his commitment to the Broncos rather than hinting he might want out. Pro athletes love winning more than anything (even money). Just as it’s hard to blame Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for keeping his options open for the second half of his baseball career, I wouldn’t blame the Vonster if he were envious of the success now being enjoyed in Los Angeles by former teammates Aqib Talib and C.J. Anderson.

Instead, Miller pledges his heart will bleed orange forever.

“It’s like being in a relationship or being married and saying, ‘Do you ever see yourself with somebody else?’ I’m fully committed with the Denver Broncos and the marriage I have with them,” Miller said.

Let’s hope Miller doesn’t regret uttering those words 12 months from now. He has placed faith in Fangio, confident of being able to teach a Pro Bowl linebacker how to play even better, and Elway, who needs his draft picks in 2019 to match the strength of young talent added in Bradley Chubb, Courtland Sutton and Phillip Lindsay a year ago.

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